There’s continued interest in Washington with bottlings of white Bordeaux blends, and Walla Walla winemaker Kendall Mix leans heavily on Frenchman Hills Vineyard near Royal City for the Sauvignon Blanc in this blend with Sèmillon (11%). A record-early harvest of Aug. 20 set the table for its theme of gooseberry, starfruit and Juicy Fruit Gum aromas that are joined by a sprig of … [Read more...] about Cadaretta 2015 sbs, Columbia Valley, $23
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Acrobat 2015 Pinot Gris, Oregon, $13
Best Buy! King Estate winemakers Spencer Spetnagel and Brent Stone collaborate on this sister brand, which sources from their iconic Territorial Road property for 19% of the fruit and goes beyond for the majority of a harvest that came earlier than ever. Remarkable aromas of peach, Key lime and grapefruit pick up secondary notes of perfumy flannel sheets. Three months on the … [Read more...] about Acrobat 2015 Pinot Gris, Oregon, $13
Stag’s Hollow Winery 2015 Dolcetto, Okanagan Valley, $26
One of British Columbia’s most adventuresome and talented wineries continues to help pioneer work in the Okanagan Valley with varieties that could have been viewed as folly a decade ago. Winemaker Dwight Sick and grower/owner Larry Gerelus team up for this racy, vibrant and succulent Dolcetto that’s ripe without approaching sweetness. The Okanagan Falls project started in … [Read more...] about Stag’s Hollow Winery 2015 Dolcetto, Okanagan Valley, $26
Ross Andrew Winery 2013 Boushey Vineyard The 15th Vintage Syrah, Columbia Valley, $30
Ross Andrew Mickel hails his 15th vintage of working with Dick Boushey’s highly coveted fruit, and the Oct. 16 pick of the subsequent 10 barrels spent 16 months in French wood. It’s fruit-forward, creamy and bright as a result, opening with a nose of blueberry licorice, Orange Creamsicle, black cherry and chalkboard dust. Inside, there a marvelous blend of blueberry and … [Read more...] about Ross Andrew Winery 2013 Boushey Vineyard The 15th Vintage Syrah, Columbia Valley, $30
Panther Creek Cellars 2014 French Creek Vineyard Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $35
Washington viticulturist Damon Lalonde presented some of the state’s oldest Chardonnay to winemaker Tony Rynders, who shines with these Wente clone vines established near Prosser in 1981. Once in the Willamette Valley, Rynders devoted 16 months to a barrel program of 28% new French oak. That helps give it a theme of light toast, pear and Golden Delicious apple with pleasant … [Read more...] about Panther Creek Cellars 2014 French Creek Vineyard Chardonnay, Columbia Valley, $35